Trash deflector

ABSTRACT

An attachment assembly for the disc of a mobile agricultural device, including a washer configured to attach to a disc of the mobile agricultural device. The washer may be attached to a center location of the disc. The washer is operatively connected to a deflector bar. The deflector bar substantially prevents debris from accumulating between the disc and a fertilizer assembly attached to the disc, as the disc rotates. The deflector bar in other embodiments, may be directly connected to a fertilizer assembly, rather than to the washer.

FIELD

The present invention relates to agricultural seed planters, drills andfertilizers. More specifically, the present invention relates to thewheels/discs of seed planters, drills and fertilizer apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural seed planting is typically accomplished by multi-rowplanters. Each planter includes a plurality of row units adapted foropening a seed furrow, depositing seeds within the furrow, and closingthe seed furrow around the seeds. In some cases, each row unit of theplanter will also open a fertilizer furrow adjacent to each seed furrow,deposit liquid fertilizer in each fertilizer furrow, and close eachfertilizer furrow.

As the wheel or disc of the planter/fertilizer travels along theplanting area, the wheel or disc collects debris from the area, forexample, root balls, cobbs, stalks, etc. This debris (also referred toas “trash”) interferes with the rotation of the wheel and/or discs. Insome instances, the debris may even completely stop rotation of thewheel and/or disc, such that the wheel is dragged, in other instances,the wheel/disc may rotate unevenly. If the wheel/disc is prevented fromrotating, or is otherwise rotated unevenly, the seed placement and/orliquid fertilization distribution is adversely affected. For example,the wheel/disc may be prevented from adequately opening furrows, or maynot open the furrows deep enough. Additionally, as the rotation may beaffected, uneven seed placement results in some seeds being placed toodeep or too shallow within the furrow, also uneven seed placement mayresult in some seeds being offset from the row. If a seed is offset fromthe predetermined row it may not receive fertilizer or water, and may betrampled by people or equipment if it is able to germinate. Similarly,if the liquid fertilizer is offset and is unevenly distributed, someseeds may not receive any fertilizer and may not germinate and othersmay receive too much fertilizer and may die.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a trash deflector to be used with a mobileagricultural device. In one embodiment, a disc attachment bar isconfigured to attach to a disc of the mobile agricultural device. Thedisc attachment bar is operatively attached to a deflector bar and afertilizer bar. The fertilizer bar is configured to deposit fertilizerinto a furrow created by the disc. The deflector bar is configured toreduce or prevent debris from accumulating on the disc as it is rotatedupwards and towards a top portion of the fertilizer bar.

In other embodiments, the attachment assembly includes a retainerconfigured to attach to a disc of an agricultural planter. A deflectorbar is operatively attached to the retainer, the deflector bar may beangled upwards towards a top portion of the disc. The deflector bar isconfigured to reduce or prevent debris from accumulating on the disc asthe disc rotates.

Still other embodiments may include an agricultural planter having ahitch bar configured to attach to a tractor. The hitch bar may includeat least one wheel for supporting the hitch as it is pulled by thetractor, where the at least one wheel is located at a bottom portion ofthe hitch bar. The hitch bar also may include at least one disc forcreating a furrow, the disc is located at a bottom portion of the hitchbar adjacent to the at least one wheel. Also, a trash deflector assemblyis operatively connected to the disc, and there may be a trash deflectorassembly for each of the disc(s). The trash deflector assembly isconfigured to substantially prevent debris from traveling along acomplete rotation of the disc.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modifications in various aspects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tractor pulling a seed planter.

FIG. 2 is top rear isometric view of the planter including an embodimentof the trash deflector.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the trashdeflector.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the trash deflector illustrated inFIG. 3 installed on a disc.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the trashdeflector installed on a disc.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the trashdeflector.

FIG. 7 is a front right perspective view of the trash deflectorillustrated in FIG. 6 installed on a disc.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the trashdeflector.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the trash deflector illustrated inFIG. 8 installed on a disc.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the trashdeflector.

FIG. 11A illustrates a top elevation view of the disc and trashdeflector shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11B illustrates a top elevation view of another example of a discand trash deflector.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodimentof a trash deflector.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment of the trashdeflector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a debris or trash deflector for use withagricultural mobile devices, such as planters, rippers, coulters, drillsand the like. In some embodiments, the trash deflector has a deflectorbar and an attachment location. The attachment location may be securedto a bracket assembly supporting a fertilizer tube on a fertilizer disc.In other embodiments, the trash deflector may be attached to a planter,seed hopper, fertilizer tank or the like, and extend over and downwardsaround the disc. As a tractor (or other device) pulls the fertilizerassembly (or other assembly, e.g., a drill assembly, ripper, coulter,etc.), the disc turns and as debris is picked up and attaches to thedisc, the trash deflector displaces the debris or otherwise knocks thepieces off of the disc.

In other embodiments, the trash deflector may be configured to beinstalled on planting assemblies that may not have an attachedfertilizer assembly. In these embodiments, the trash deflector mayinclude a deflector bar and a retainer. The deflector bar is secured tothe retainer and the retainer may be installed on a wheel or disc of aplanting assembly. For example, in some embodiments the retainer islocated at a center portion of the wheel around a bolt or screw used tosecure the wheel to the planting assembly. As the planting assembly ispulled or towed across the planting area, the deflector bar knocks offdebris and other trash that accumulates on the wheel. Accordingly, whilethe several embodiments of a trash deflector shown and described hereinmay be shown in conjunction with a fertilizer disc, the trash deflectormay also be used in conjunction with furrow opening discs or otherwheels or ground engaging portions of a planter or other implement.

FIG. 1 illustrates a tractor pulling a planting and fertilizingassembly. The tractor 10 is attached via a hitch bar 24 to a planter 12.The planter 12 includes wheels 20 for supporting and rolling the planter12, as well as discs 22 used to create the seed furrows, fertilizerfurrows, or perform other ground modifications, for example. It is notedhere that the term disc may include furrow opening discs as well asfertilizer discs as mentioned above. The discs 22 may create a seedfurrow or a fertilizer furrow as the tractor 10 pulls the planter 12along the field. For example, the discs 22 in some embodiments create agenerally V-shaped furrow in the ground and in other embodiments, thediscs create a slot or slit in the ground. In some embodiments, theplanter 12 may include a seed hopper 18 for storing the seeds beforethey are deposited into the furrow. Additionally, the planter 12 mayalso include fertilizer storage 14 for storing the fertilizer before itis deposited within or adjacent to the furrow.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of one embodiment of the planter 12.In this embodiment the planter 12 includes a depositing assembly 27.While generally hidden from view in FIG. 2, the depositing assembly 27may be used to deposit seeds within a furrow. In some embodiments, thedepositing assembly 27 may be a rebounder, seed tube, etc. Thedepositing assembly 27 receives seeds from the seed hopper 18 located onthe planter 12. The depositing assembly 27 then deposits each seed inits respective furrow.

The planter 12 may also include a fertilizer tube 26, a fertilizer bar30 and a fertilizer hose 28. The fertilizer hose 28 is fluidly connectedto the fertilizer storage tanks 14 and a pump (not illustrated). Thepump pumps fertilizer from the tanks 14 to the fertilizer bar 30 via thefertilizer hose 28. The fertilizer bar 30 provides fertilizer to eachfertilizer tube 26, which then deposits the fertilizer into or near theseed furrow as the tractor 10 pulls the planter 12 assembly. Thefertilizer may be deposited after or at the same time as the seed isdeposited in the furrow. In some embodiments, and particularly in thecase of the disc 22 being a fertilizer disc, the fertilizer tube 26 maybe aligned along the discs 22.

The discs 22 may be provided with a trash deflector 42. The trashdeflector 42 may be attached to each disc 22 and may include a deflectorbar 48. It should be noted that although the discs 22 are illustrated asbeing part of a tractor-pulled fertilizing assembly that the discs 22may be a part of any other movable device with wheels. For instance, acoulter, ripper, or the like. Similarly, although the trash deflector 42is illustrated as being used with a disc 22 for a planting/fertilizingassembly, the trash deflector 42 may be used with any wheel, disc orrotating device that collects debris along its surfaces, e.g., a lawnmower, bicycle, or the like.

The deflector bar 48 prevents debris, such as sticks, cobbs, stalks,etc. from continually sticking and attaching to the discs 22. Forexample, as the tractor 10 pulls the planter assembly 12 debris layingthe in field or portions of soil may accumulate on the discs 22.However, as the discs 22 rotate (as they are pulled across the field),the trash that attaches to the discs 22 reaches the deflector bar 48.Once the debris reaches the deflector bar 48, the deflector bar 48effectively scrapes or shears off the trash from the discs 22 as thediscs 22 move past the stationary deflector bar 48. This allows the disc22 to rotate freely and evenly. The deflector bar 48 prevents or reducesthe accumulation of debris along the disc 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the trash deflector 42 and FIG. 4illustrates the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 installed on a disc 22. Inthese embodiments, the trash deflector 42 has a deflector bar 48attached to the disc attachment bar 51. The disc attachment bar 51attaches the trash deflector 42 to the disc 22 and also may be used toattach a fertilizer distributor bar 50 to the disc 22.

The disc attachment bar 51 may include a bolt aperture 53, which may beused to receive a center bolt 54 attaching the disc attachment bar 51 tothe disc 22. The disc attachment bar 51, in some embodiments, may beconstructed out of metal such as aluminum, steel, metal, alloys, etc. Inother embodiments, the disc attachment bar 51 may be constructed out ofplastic, ceramic or other sufficiently strong and durable materials.

The deflector bar 48 is used to deflect debris off of the disc 22 andback onto the ground. The deflector bar 48 may include a free end thatis spaced a distance 58 away from the fertilizer distributor bar 50.This distance 58, should be close enough to prevent substantial amountsof debris from passing between the deflector bar 48 and the fertilizerdistributor bar 50, while at the same time be sufficiently long toprevent the fertilizer bar 50 and the deflector bar 48 from touching. Insome embodiments, the distance 58 may range from fractions of an inch tomany inches, depending on the size of the disc 22, the type of trashcollected, as well as the type of assembly attached to the disc 22. Forexample, the larger the debris, the farther away the deflector bar 48may be spaced from the disc 22, while still shearing the debris from thedisc 22.

As trash travels up along the disc 22 it will be deflected off of thedisc 22 before reaching an area between the fertilizer distributor bar50 and the disc 22 (and getting caught or otherwise trapped between thedisc 22 and the distributor bar 50). The deflector bar 48 in someembodiments may be made out of stainless steel, however in otherembodiments, the deflector bar 48 may be constructed out of plastic, oiltempered wire, abrasion resistant metals, alloys, ceramics, or the like.

The deflector bar 48 may be formed as a continuous construction with thedisc attachment bar 51, or may be separately attached to the discattachment bar 51. For example, in some embodiments, the deflector bar48 may be welded to the disc attachment bar 51. In other embodiments,the deflector bar 48 may be molded or otherwise formed together as anintegral piece. Similarly, the deflector bar 48 may be formed integrallywith the fertilizer bar 50, or in other embodiments, the deflector bar48 may be formed integrally with a fertilizing assembly, drill assembly,coulter assembly, and the like. Further, in some instances, the integralassembly may be constructed to deflect debris on a particular side ofthe disc 22 and/or wheels 20, i.e., there may be a right-side embodimentand a left-side embodiment.

Additionally, the deflector bar 48 may be slightly curved upwardstowards the fertilizer bar 50. This may allow the deflector bar 48 to besecured at a lower position on the disc 22 and still be able to preventdebris from passing between the fertilizer bar 50 and the deflector 48.In some embodiments the deflector bar 48 may contact the disc 22, or maybe spaced away from the disc 22. Additionally, the deflector bar 48 maybe bent to be adjusted, allowing the deflector bar 48 to be customized(i.e. the distance 58 individually set) to each planter 22 or fertilizerbar 50 assembly. In some embodiments, the deflector bar 48 may be morereadily bendable in a direction out of plane of the disc 22 and lessreadily bendable in the plane of the disc 22 such that lateraladjustment of the deflector bar 48 may be performed without exceedingdifficulty and yet the deflector bar may maintain its vertical or radialposition when force is applied by trash.

The fertilizer distributor bar 50 may be additionally connected to afertilizer distributor tube 26. The fertilizer distributor bar 50 may beconstructed out of a similar material to the disc attachment bar 51. Forexample, the fertilizer distributor bar 50 may be a metal such as steelor aluminum. The fertilizer distributor tube 26 on the other hand, maybe made of a more flexible material than the fertilizer distributor bar50. In these embodiments, the fertilizer distributor tube 26 may easilyflex to enter the furrow and deposit fertilizer in or near the furrow.However, in some embodiments, the fertilizer distributor bar 50 may notinclude the tube 26, and may be shaped to adequately provide fertilizerto each furrow itself.

The center fastener 54 may also be used to attach the disc 22 to theplanter 12, for example to a tow bar, trailing arm assembly, or otherassembly used by the planter 12 to control the discs 22. The centerfastener 54 in some embodiments is a metal bolt, or screw, however manyother retaining and attachment mechanisms may be sufficient. Forexample, the disc 22 may be attached to the planter 12 with othermethods.

The disc 22 may include a plain metal furrow disc. In some embodiments,a rubber layer surrounding a metal portion may be provided. In stillother embodiments, the disc 22 may be constructed from any combinationof materials or may be a single material.

FIG. 11A illustrates a top elevation view of the disc 22 and trashdeflector 42 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 11B illustrates a topelevation view of another example of a disc 122 and trash deflector 142.As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the deflector 48, 148 may be positionedfurther or closer to the disc 22, 122 as desired by a user. For example,in FIG. 11A, the deflector 42 may be positioned such that it issufficiently spaced apart from the disc 22 (at a distance D1) to preventthe deflector 42 from interfering with the rotation of the disc 22, butclose enough to deflect debris from the disc 22. In another example,shown in FIG. 11B, the deflector 148 may be positioned closer to thedisc 122, but still sufficiently far apart from the disc 122 (at adistance D2) so that it does not contact the disc 122. As shown in FIGS.11A and 11B, in some examples, the deflector 48, 148 may besubstantially parallel to the disc 22, 122. However, in otherembodiments, the deflector may be curved or bent along its length sothat it curves or bends toward or away from the disc. Additionally, insome embodiments, the deflector may be oriented at an angle with respectto the disc, rather than substantially parallel to the disc.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the disc attachment bar 51. Thedisc attachment bar 51 may have a first end 51 a and a second end 51 bwith an outer surface 51 c facing away from the disc 22 and an innersurface on the opposite side of the outer surface 51 c, which faces thedisc 22. As shown in this example, the disc attachment bar 51 extendsupwardly and rearwardly of the disc 22. As illustrated in FIG. 5, thefertilizer distributor bar 50 is attached on the second end 51 b. Thefertilizer distributor bar 50 extends rearwardly from the discattachment bar 51 such that the fertilizer distributor bar 50positionable in line with and behind the disc 22. The deflector bar 48extends rearwardly, with an end 48 a positioned lower than thefertilizer distributor bar 50. The deflector bar 48 extends along besidethe disc 22 rearwardly. In this embodiment, the disc attachment bar 51may have a substantially rectangular body that transitions into aboot-shaped bottom portion. The front end or toe 53 of the boot may facetowards the fertilizer distributor bar 50 and/or the tube 26. The toe 53curves at a transition point 55 into the main body of the discattachment bar 51. In this embodiment, the deflector bar 48 may rununderneath a portion of the bottom surface of the toe 53, and thedeflector bar 48 may be attached to the disc attachment bar 51 along thebottom surface of the boot-shape. In this embodiment, the deflector bar48 may receive structural support and/or alignment support as thedeflector bar 48 traces a portion of the disc attachment bar 51. Also,although illustrated as separately attached, the deflector bar 48 may beintegrally formed with the disc attachment bar 51, and the boot mayextend outwards past the disc 22 and form the deflector bar 48.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the trash deflector 42.In this embodiment, the trash deflector 42 includes a retainer 46 andthe deflector bar 48. The retainer 46 may include an aperture 43 passingtherethrough. In some embodiments, the deflector bar 48 may be welded tothe retainer 46. However, it should noted that the deflector bar 48 maybe attached to the retainer 46 by many other methods. For example, inother embodiments the deflector bar 48 and the retainer 46 may beintegrally formed, i.e. made (from molding and/or other techniques) intoa single assembly piece. The retainer 46 may then be used to attach thetrash deflector 42 to the disc 22 via the aperture 43, for example, abolt, screw, etc. may be threaded through the aperture 43 and tightened,securing the retainer 46 to the disc.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the retainer 46 is installed on the disc 22 viaa center fastener 54. The retainer 46 may be placed between the disc 22and the planter bar 52. The retainer 46 helps to secure the centerfastener 54 to the disc 22. In some embodiments, the retainer 46 is awasher or other similar device including an aperture. The centerfastener 54 may be thread through the aperture 43 and tightened,securing the disc 22 to the planter bar 52 and the retainer 46 to thedisc 22. In these embodiments, the disc attachment bar 51 may beconnected (for example through welding, etc.) to the planter bar 52 ormay be bolted together with the trash deflector 42 to the planter bar 52or other attachment point of the planter.

As discussed above with respect to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.3-4, the deflector bar 48 in some embodiments may actually contact thedisc 22 in order to scrape or deflect debris off of the disc 22. Inother embodiments, the deflector bar 48 may not actually contact thedisc 22, but may be a close enough distance to the disc 22 such that itcan shear debris off of the disc 22. These embodiments also allow thedeflector 42 to be individually customized to the particular planterand/or the desires of the farmer.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the trash deflector. Inthis embodiment, the trash deflector may include a deflector bar 64having a body 80 with a larger width than the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, and the body 80 may taper to a point 82. The deflector bar 64may curve upwards as it transitions into the point 82 and may beslightly horned-shaped. This embodiment may provide additional strengthto the deflector bar 64 against debris moving along the periphery of thedisc 22 and the deflector bar 64 may be better able to scrape/shearlarge and/or heavy debris from the disc 22. At the same time, thethickness of the deflector bar 64 may be such that adjustment of thelateral position of the deflector bar is still possible.

Additionally, a support bar 66 may be connected to the deflector bar 64and the support bar 66 and the deflector bar 64 may connected at aconnection washer 62. In some embodiments, the support bar 66, thedeflector bar 64 and the connection washer 62 may be integratedtogether, i.e., formed as a single construction. However, in otherembodiments, the elements may be separately formed and joined togethervia welding, glue, fasteners, or the like. Further, the support bar 66may be integrally formed with the deflector bar 64.

The support bar 66 may be substantially horizontal and extend outwardsfrom the disc 22 when attached to the disc 22 (see e.g., FIG. 9). Asupport bar aperture 68 may be located near a terminal end of thesupport bar 66. The support bar aperture 68 may be adapted to receive afastening mechanism to secure a fertilizing tube 74, planting tube, orany other device. In other embodiments, the aperture 68 may be arrangedand oriented to directly receive the fertilizing tube 74. The supportbar 66 may allow for mounting the fertilizer tube 74 (or other assembly)on and away from the outer surface of the disc 22.

The connection washer 62 may be substantially circularly shaped anddefine a receiving aperture 70 within its center. The receiving aperture70 receives a fastener 78, connecting the deflector bar 64 and thesupport bar 66 to the disc 22.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the trash deflector. In thisembodiment, the deflector bar 92 may be attached to a tow assembly 92connected between two wheels 20. The tow assembly 92 may be a seedhopper, fertilizer tank, wheel axel or any other device located near oroperably connected to the wheels 20. The deflector bar 92 in thisembodiment, may then curve downwards, and be mounted substantially overthe top portion of the disc 22. It should be noted that the deflectorbar 92 may be mounted on any portion of the planter 12 or other mobiledevice, as long as the deflector bar 92 is positioned so as to deflecttrash and debris from the disc 22 and/or wheels 20. This embodiment maybe used in replace of or in addition to the disc mounted deflector bars(e.g., the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-9).

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a trash deflector 242. In thisembodiment, the deflector 242 may include a washer portion 262 and adeflector bar portion 264. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, thewasher portion 262 and the deflector bar portion 264 may be formed as asingle construction, and may be separate from the support bar 166.Additionally, the trash deflector 242 may be positioned between thesupport bar 166 and the disc 22, and the trash deflector 242, supportbar 166, and the disc 22 may be joined together by a nut 168 and a bolt167 that extends through the washer portion 262 of the deflector 242,and respective apertures 169, 170 defined by the support bar 166 and thedisc 22.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of a trash deflector 342. Thetrash deflector may include an attachment assembly 355, a deflector bar348, and a fertilizer distributor tube 326. The trash deflector 342 maybe mounted to along side a wheel or disc and may be configured to removeor limit the accumulation of trash or debris on the wheel or disc.

The attachment assembly 355 may include a main body 351, an attachmenttab 346, and a fertilizer extension tab 366. The main body 351 mayinclude a generally planar element having a bottom edge 357A, a frontedge 357B, a back edge 357C, and a top edge 357D. The main body 351 mayinclude a inboard face that is substantially flat for general alignmentwith an associated wheel or disc 22 to maintain clearance from the wheelor disc 22.

The trash deflector bar 348 may be arranged along the bottom edge 357Aof the main body 351. The bar 348 may be welded, fastened, or otherwisesecured to the main body 351 and may extend rearwardly from the mainbody 351 in general alignment with the bottom edge 357A. Like theembodiment of FIG. 5, the bar 348 may be secured along the bottom edge357A and the bottom edge 357A may help to reinforce, stiffen, andprovide a secure position and orientation for the bar 348. The trashdeflector bar 348 may extend from the main body 351 and turn upward asit extends rearwardly. As such, the deflector bar 348 may be featheredslightly as it engages debris clinging to the associated wheel or discsuch that abrupt contact with the debris may be avoided and impactforces on the bar 348 may be controlled. As with other embodiments, thetrash deflector bar 348 may be bent or directed slightly inward and maybe bendably adjustable laterally so as to be closer or farther from theassociated wheel or disc 22.

The attachment tab 346 may extend from the front edge 357B of the mainbody 351 and may be directed in a laterally inward direction and maythen change direction back to being substantially parallel with the mainbody. The attachment tab 346 may be generally planar and may include anaperture 343 extending therethrough. The aperture may be adapted toreceive a fastener such as a bolt, pin, rod, screw, or other fastenerfor securing the trash deflector 342. The offsetting shape of theattachment tab 346 may allow the trash deflector to be attached adjacenta wheel or disc 22 while allowing the main body 351 and extension tab366 to remain clear of the wheel or disc 22. In some embodiments, theamount of lateral offset provided by the attachment tab 346 may beselected such that the fertilizer tube is centered on the wheel or disc22 when positioned adjacent the extension tab 366.

The extension tab 366 may extend upwardly and rearwardly from the topedge 357D of the main body 351. The extension tab may be generallyplanar and may provide an inboard attachment surface for the fertilizertube 326. An outermost edge of the extension tab 366 may be generallytangential to a circle that is slightly larger than the wheel or disc.That is, the outermost edge may be substantially perpendicular to theradius of the wheel or disc 22.

The fertilizer tube 236 may be secured to the attachment surface ofextension tab 366 and may be aligned with the outermost edge. In someembodiments, the extension tab 366 may deflect slightly inward towardthe disc or wheel 22 such that the fertilizer tube may align with thecenterline of the wheel or disc 22. While not shown, a fertilizer linemay be attached to the fertilizer tube 326 to deliver fertilizer to aposition behind and in alignment with the wheel or disc 22. In someembodiments, the attachment may be such that fertilizer flows throughthe fertilizer tube 326 and the attachment of the fertilizer line may beto an end of the fertilizer tube. In other embodiments, the fertilizerline may extend along the side of the fertilizer tube 326 and the linemay be secured adjacent to the fertilizer tube 326. In theseembodiments, the fertilizer tube 326 may be a solid bar, plate, or othernon-fluid communicating structure. In some embodiments, the fertilizertube 326 may be welded, bolted, screwed, or otherwise fastened to theextension tab 366.

While the main body 351, attachment tab 346, and extension tab 366 havebeen described as an integral piece with the deflector bar 348 andfertilizer tube 326 attached thereto, any and/or all of these parts orsub-parts may be provided separately or integrally by molding,machining, or otherwise fabricating out of a single piece of material.

All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left,right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, inner, outer,vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used foridentification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of theexamples of the invention, and do not create limitations, particularlyas to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unlessspecifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g.,attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construedbroadly and may include intermediate members between a connection ofelements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinderreferences do not necessarily infer that two elements are directlyconnected and/or in fixed relation to each other.

In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends”having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with anotherpart. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the presentinvention is not limited to components which terminate immediatelybeyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end”should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent,rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particularelement, link, component, part, member or the like.

In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various stepsand operations are described in one possible order of operation, butthose skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may berearranged, replaced, or eliminated or have other steps inserted withoutnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. It is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structuremay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with respect toparticular apparatuses, configurations, components, systems and methodsof operation, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart upon reading this disclosure that certain changes or modificationsto the embodiments and/or their operations, as described herein, may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Accordingly, the proper scope of the invention is defined by theappended claims. The various embodiments, operations, components andconfigurations disclosed herein are generally exemplary rather thanlimiting in scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deflector for use with a mobile agriculturaltool, comprising: a disc attachment bar having a first end and a secondend and an outer surface opposite an inner surface, with an apertureextending therethrough proximal to the first end, with the apertureconfigured to attach the disc attachment bar to a disc of the mobileagricultural tool having a portion of the disc attachment bar thatincludes the second end positioned upwardly and rearwardly relative tothe mobile agricultural tool; a deflector bar operatively attached tothe disc attachment bar, which locates the deflector bar relative to theaperture; and a fertilizer bar operatively attached to the discattachment bar at the second end, wherein the disc attachment barpositions the deflector bar relative to the fertilizer bar and relativeto the inner surface, wherein at a first location the fertilizer bar andthe deflector bar are spaced from each other at a predetermined distanceestablished by the relative positions, wherein the deflector bar extendsaway from the disc attachment bar in a direction that positions an endof the deflection bar below the fertilizer bar and the fertilizer barextends from the disc attachment bar such that when the disc attachmentbar is attached to the disc of the mobile agricultural tool thefertilizer bar lines up with the disc rearwardly allowing fertilizer tobe deposited directly behind the disc and the deflection bar aligns withthe side of the disc.
 2. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the discattachment bar comprises a bolt aperture configured to receive a boltfor securing the disc attachment bar to the disc.
 3. The deflector ofclaim 1, wherein the deflector bar is stainless steel.
 4. The deflectorof claim 1, wherein the deflector bar is welded to the disc attachmentbar at the first end.
 5. The deflector of claim 1, wherein the deflectorbar is integrally formed with the disc attachment bar.
 6. The deflectorof claim 1, wherein the deflector bar is configured to substantiallyprevent debris from traveling along the disc towards the disc attachmentbar, past the first location.
 7. The deflector of claim 1, wherein thefertilizer bar comprises a fertilizer tube configured to depositfertilizer in a furrow behind the disc.
 8. The deflector of claim 1,wherein the deflector bar is oil tempered wire.
 9. The deflector ofclaim 1, wherein the deflector bar is operatively attached to a bottomportion of the disc attachment bar.
 10. The deflector of claim 1,wherein the disc attachment bar is operatively attached to the disc at acenter point of the disc.
 11. The deflector of claim 10, wherein thefertilizer bar is directly connected to the second end of the discattachment bar.
 12. The deflector of claim 11, wherein the deflector baris directly connected to the first end of the disc attachment bar. 13.The deflector of claim 12, further comprising a fertilizer tubeoperatively attached to one end of the fertilizer bar, the fertilizertube configured to deposit fluids within a furrow created by the disc.14. The deflector of claim 13, wherein the deflector bar extends fromthe first end of the disc attachment bar towards the fertilizer tube.